Carriage horses: Cruelty is the name of the trade

Urban centers including New York City, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Charleston and
other cities in the U.S. and around the world are no places for horse drawn
carriages.

According to both Peggy Parker, formerly of the Carriage
Horse Action Committee, and Elizabeth Forel of the Coalition to Ban Horse
Drawn Carriages, the average working life of an urban carriage horse is less
than four years, as compared with that of mounted police horses who are able
to serve an average of fifteen years before being retired. One of the worst
horse and mule slaughter auctions in the nation takes place every Monday
morning in New Holland, Pennsylvania. At times you will see horse trailers
belonging to some of the New York City carriage horse operators in the
massive parking lot at the auction. It could be that they are there to buy
horses for their trade, but there is also the possibility that they are
selling old, used up and/or injured horses and that usually means a
horrifying trip to the slaughterhouse.

"By nature, horses are designed to
spend at least 16-18 hours a day moving around freely and grazing on grasses
and shrubs on a fairly forgiving surface of dirt," said Dr. Nina Deibel of
Rhinebeck Equine. "Horses that are used in a carriage service in a city,
such as those in Central Park in New York City, have their wellbeing
jeopardized in several ways. First, the pavement on which they stand all day
harnessed to their carriages does not absorb the impact of their foot falls
thereby sending damaging concussive forces up their legs. This can result in
musculoskeletal injuries throughout the horse's body, but particularly in
their legs and feet. Secondly, these horses are at risk of damaging their
gastro-intestinal tract since they can not take in a normal amount of
roughage and feed. This lifestyle puts them at a high risk to develop
gastric ulcers and other stress related health problems. Thirdly, it has
been reported to me that some of these horses, when not in service, are kept
in straight stalls where they are also tied up and unable to move at their
own free will. This significantly contributes to the high stress situation
in which they have to exist and further diminishes their physical and mental
health and wellbeing."

Actress Rue McClanahan and New York City
Councilman Tony Avella speaking at a press conference outside City Hall
prior to the NYC Council hearings.

Equine Advocates is
committed to exposing the truth about the carriage horse trade. EA
President, Susan Wagner, spoke at the New York City Council hearings on
January 31, 2009 in support of Intro 658 which would ban horse drawn
carriages from New York City. She was joined by the leaders of other
prominent animal protection organizations, veterinarians and residents of
the City of New York who also came to make their views heard. Introduced by
New York City Councilman, Tony Avella, Intro 658 would, if passed, finally
put an end to the sad and pathetic existences horses have had to endure for
so many years on the streets of New York City.

Horse drawn carriages
have been banned in many cities around the world, including London, Paris,
Toronto and Beijing. Many U.S. cities have also banned them because of
safety and congestion problems and humane concerns.

Additional
information:

How to take action:
http://www.equineadvocates.org/issues/action_carriagehorses.php

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